Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: All of the above
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
The adjective dull has several related meanings in English, including not sharp, not bright, and not interesting. This question asks for a word that means the opposite of dull, and the options reflect different senses of dullness. To answer correctly, you must recognise that more than one opposite is possible, depending on the context in which dull is used.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Each of the first three options is an appropriate antonym of dull in a particular sense. Sharp is the opposite of dull when we talk about blades or points. Bright is the opposite of dull when we speak of colours or lighting. Exciting is the opposite of dull when we mean boring or uninteresting. Because dull is a flexible word whose meaning changes with context, all three options can correctly serve as antonyms in different sentences. Therefore, the best answer is all of the above, which recognises the multiple valid opposites.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider dull in the sentence This knife is dull. Here, sharp is the natural opposite, since it describes a blade that cuts easily.Step 2: Consider dull in the sentence The colours in this painting are dull. In this case, bright is the opposite, because bright colours stand out vividly.Step 3: Consider dull in the sentence The lecture was dull. The opposite here is exciting or interesting, since exciting lectures keep people engaged.Step 4: Recognise that each of the words sharp, bright, and exciting serves as an antonym in at least one legitimate context.Step 5: Conclude that option D all of the above correctly captures the fact that there is not just one possible opposite for dull.
Verification / Alternative check:
We can test the options by creating contrasting pairs of sentences. For physical tools: This knife is dull versus This knife is sharp. For colours: The sky looks dull today versus The sky looks bright today. For experiences: The party was dull versus The party was exciting. In each pair, the second sentence replaces dull with a word that clearly reverses the meaning. This demonstrates that all three words function as antonyms, depending on the situation.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Choosing only sharp, only bright, or only exciting would limit the answer to one dimension of dullness, ignoring the others. The question is phrased in a general way Give me a word that means the opposite of dull, not specifying a context like knives, colours, or events. In such a general setting, the best response acknowledges that several opposites are valid, which is why all of the above is the correct choice.
Common Pitfalls:
Exam takers sometimes assume that each word can have only one fixed opposite. In reality, many adjectives have multiple senses, and each sense may have its own antonym. Another pitfall is to focus on the most familiar example, such as dull knife, and overlook dull colour or dull movie. To handle such questions well, train yourself to think of at least two different example sentences for the same word before selecting an answer.
Final Answer:
Sharp, bright, and exciting can each act as an opposite of dull in different contexts, so the correct answer is All of the above.
Discussion & Comments